Ukraine has warned of an emerging “critical” risk to its power grid after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that repeated Russian bombardments had destroyed one-third of the country’s power facilities as winter approaches.
The warning on Tuesday came as Russian forces claimed to have retaken territory from Ukrainian troops in the eastern Kharkiv region, Moscow’s first announced capture of a village there since being nearly entirely pushed out of the region last month.
At the same time, Russian attacks rocked energy facilities in Kyiv and urban centres across the country, causing blackouts and disrupting water supplies, one day after the capital was bombarded with a swarm of suicide drones.
“The situation is critical now across the country. It’s necessary for the whole country to prepare for electricity, water and heating outages,” Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, told Ukrainian television.
The attacks in the early hours of Tuesday hit Kyiv, Kharkiv in the east, Mykolaiv in the south and central regions of Dnipro and Zhytomyr, where officials said hospitals were running on backup generators.
Zelenskyy called the repeated targeting of energy infrastructure “another kind of Russian terrorist attacks”.
“Since October 10, 30 percent of Ukraine’s power stations have been destroyed, causing massive blackouts across the country,” the Ukrainian leader said on Twitter.
Many towns and cities in the Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv, and parts of the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine were without electricity, while power was restored to the southern city of Mykolaiv after attacks overnight.
“Now the city is cut off from electricity and water supplies. Hospitals are working on backup power,” the mayor of Zhytomyr, Sergiy Sukhomlyn, said in a statement online.
The national emergency services said that after 10 days of attacks on energy facilities, some 1,162 towns and villages in nine regions had been left without power and more than 70 people were killed and 290 injured.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said three people had been killed in Tuesday’s attacks.
Zelenskyy earlier said the new wave of nationwide attacks – which he said had damaged a residential building and flower market in Mykolaiv – was a Russian attempt to “terrorise and kill civilians.”
Source: Aljazeera
The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has donated Gh¢20,000 to Roshelle Brago Foundation to support its activities.
The donation formed part of the BPA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the Bui enclave in the Bono and Savannah Regions of Ghana.
Roshelle Brago Foundation is an NGO that brings together various health professionals and volunteers to create more awareness of Down syndrome by campaigning for change and providing innovative services that give people with down syndrome the opportunity to live life like any other member of society.
Founded in March 2016 by Miss Mavis Opoku Asantewaa, a Community Mental Health Officer, the organisation has been committed to improving the quality of life for people with down syndrome and promoting their rights to be included on a full and equal basis with others.
Ing Samuel Kow Ansah, Deputy CEO in charge of Engineering, Operations and Technical at BPA, presenting a dummy cheque of Gh¢20,000 Miss Mavis Opoku Asantewaa , Director for Robb Foundation
Ing Samuel Kow Ansah, Deputy CEO in charge of Engineering, Operations and Technical at BPA, last Wednesday, presented a dummy cheque of Gh¢20,000 to the Robb Foundation on behalf of the CEO, Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, at the climax of a 10-day health screening and sensitisation on Down Syndrome at Jama.
Ing Kow Ansah said the CEO recognised the challenges in managing children with down syndrome and decided that the Authority supported the foundation to be able to do more to sensitise parents on down syndrome and advocate for the development of such children in Ghana.
The Director of Robb Foundation, Mrs. Mavis Opoku, who received the donation, commended the management of BPA for the gesture and expressed their commitment to continue their advocacy work to ensure that children with special needs are given attention.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
During the first day of the African Energy Week conference and exhibition, H.E. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries delivered a keynote address to hundreds of assembled delegates.
Following a strong lineup of panel discussions, presentations and opening addresses, the first day of the African Energy Week (AEW) conference and exhibition saw a keynote address delivered by H.E. Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
During his address, the Secretary General emphasized OPEC’s global outlook, key challenges faced by the global oil markets and Africa’s key role in the organization.
Kicking off his address, H.E. Al Ghais stated that, “African Energy Week continues to go from strength to strength and is now a leading event on the global calendar. I would like to thank the President of the OPEC organization for his leadership during these trying times.”
Speaking on ‘Africa’s role in global energy security: Driving energy investments towards a sustainable future and the role of OPEC as an important source for energy security,’ H.E. Al Ghais provided key insight into the organization’s strategies for driving stability across Africa and the role the recent Declaration of Cooperation plays in improving stability.
“The producers of the declaration of cooperation remain a vital stabilizing force despite being in a period of great uncertainty. The last meeting was held a few days ago and the heads of delegations unanimously decided to take a proactive stance to create stability in global markets. With the very real potential of a global recession, there was a consensus among the Ministers. I would like to thank the African heads of delegations for their ongoing support to provide lasting stability in global oil markets.”
Touching on the state of play of the global oil outlook and the organization’s outlook, H.E. Al Ghais stated that, “Our actions in the short term most certainly have an impact on the longer term. On October 21 we will be launching the next edition of the OPEC World Outlook. This flagship publication provides a detailed overview for the long-term forecasts for global energy markets. Demand for energy will continue to rise dramatically. Despite a minor decline, oil will still share the largest share of the energy mix by 2025. The combined share for oil and gas is expected to remain above 50% by 2025.”
Meanwhile, in addition to market challenges, climate change will continue to have significant impacts on global economies, with H.E. Al Ghais explaining that, “OPEC supports SDG 7 which seeks to increase access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all. Energy, like education and healthcare, should not be considered a luxury but a basic human right. The overarching issue of climate change and energy transition will have massive implications for Africa. Countries around the world continue to adapt to the rapidly changing dynamics of the industry. In this context, Africa is in a very fragile position. African countries stand to be on the losing end on the consequences of climate change. OPEC will continue to advocate for Africa.”
Thereafter, H.E. Al Ghais discussed Africa’s key role in OPEC, highlighting that, “With seven members, Africa makes up more than half of OPEC’s overall membership. This increasing presence led to the establishment of the first ever high-level OPEC-Africa energy dialogue. Through this dialogue, we look forward to enhancing our focus on this continent and its energy future. Africa’s energy future is bright and the opportunities are vast. As of 2021, Africa’s proven oil reserves amounted to over 120 billion barrels. There are increased opportunities for enhanced intra-African trade. Despite the many challenges that lay ahead, we will continue to see Africa’s energy sector thrive and develop for years to come.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The first day of African Energy Week (AEW) 2022, held in Cape Town on 18 October, featured a panel discussion during which participants discussed the reformation of Africa’s power generation monopolies, presenting an in-depth look at the liberalization of energy markets and a transition towards a more competitive industry.
Moderated by Hendrik Malan, President of research and consulting firm, Frost & Sullivan Africa, the panel featured the participation of Alhassane Diallo, Counselor in Charge of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Energy, Hydropower and Hydrocarbons, Guinea-Conakry; Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo, Board Member, African Energy Chamber (AEC); Jonathan First, Managing Director, Delphos and H.E. Dr. Eng. Sultan Wali, State Minister of Energy & Water, Ethiopia.
“We are exploring reforms within the energy sector on the African continent,” said Hendrik Malan, President of Frost & Sullivan, adding, “The quality of policy is generally a big issue in Africa and is quite important because of the role of the private sector. Are we making progress towards closing the energy poverty gap and what reforms have there been to support our constructive move to close this supply gap?
The panelists explored and examined a suite of recent power sector reforms in Africa while addressing the effectiveness of these reforms and how governance and performance in the power sector could herald a new era for the energy landscape on the continent. The speakers touched on topics such as independent regulation, commercialization, decentralizing utilities, and introducing private sector participation and competition.
“Countries on the African continent are moving towards what kinds of reforms can be put in place, with the most important reform that we’ve noticed being the regulatory reform,” stated Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo, Board Member for the AEC, adding, “The reason is because the regulatory reform assists in attracting capital investment. We are finding that countries, such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, have started moving towards, and looking at how to implement, regulatory reforms.”
In an effort to increase the role the private sector can play in meeting energy demand and achieving open access to energy through regional integration and power trading, it was noted that competitive and bilateral power trading could serve to improve reliability, reduce redundancy, and bring reliable and sustainable energy to millions of Africans, thereby alleviating energy poverty.
“We have to realize that a solution to the provision of energy has to rely more and more on the private sector. The regulatory reform in South Africa around power generation is an important one as companies will need to provide power to their businesses and if utility companies fail to do so then companies will have to pick up for them,” stated Jonathan First, Managing Director for market advisory company Delphos.
With the world of energy changing constantly and rapidly, accelerated innovations in power technologies, services and markets have resulted in upending relatively stable market prices and shares. With the rising abundance of digitalization, information and communication technologies, and as renewable and distributed energy and storage resources become more competitive, Africa will need to remain on the forefront of technical innovations as the world shifts towards a global energy transition.
“Solar and wind is everywhere, everybody has access to solar and wind. We are blessed as a continent. We don’t pay for it. It’s free and it doesn’t need transmission,” added First, adding, “To me, the solution to energy security is through renewable energy on a transitory basis.”
Despite the continent’s enormous renewable energy potential, over 600 million people on the continent lack access to reliable and affordable energy. By improving energy infrastructure, implementing reforms, transforming utility companies, and increasing the funding pool for new projects, Africa has continued to strive towards energy independence, particularly by targeting the renewable energy market.
“Africa has a huge amount of untapped renewable resources; however, our power generation capacity is still below 5,000 MW,” stated H.E. Dr. Eng. Sultan Wali, State Minister of Energy & Water for Ethiopia, noting that “More than 50% of Ethiopians are living without access to electricity, and more than 90% are dependent on biomass. Therefore, some of the main priority areas are to ensure access to universal access to electricity.”
Trina Solar Co., Ltd., a world leading PV and smart energy total solution provider, has announced that it will launch a new distribution facility in Kenya.
The new facility located in Nairobi will act as a regional hub for the East Africa region and will serve all neighboring countries. The new facility aims to achieve faster delivery times to ensure reaching customers instantly and efficiently.
Antonio Jimenez, Managing Director and Vice President for Trina Solar MEA, stated: “Kenya is a strategic market for solar energy consumption. By opening a second facility in Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy, we take a step that underlines the company’s growing footprint in Africa to cater for the rapidly-growing demand for solar energy in generating power for residential, commercial and industrial needs, in addition to farming and agriculture.”
In Kenya, the estimated solar potential is almost 15000MW. Kenya’s Vision 2030 seeks to modernize the country and its manufacturing industry powered by clean and reliable energy in eight years’ time.
Trina Solar’s latest photovoltaic Vertex Panel modules are the latest innovative upgrade to the 210mm modules that boosts performance and are more suitable for hot climes thanks to their lower temperature coefficient and operating temperature, generating a huge amount of energy even in a limited space.
“With the presence of the new next-generation photovoltaic vertex panels in the continent, we are confident that making our products available locally will enable us to become the provider of preference for our customers. As we focus on bringing cutting edge technology and innovation to the region, Trina Solar is glad to be providing renewable and sustainable energy solutions to the country and continent at large,” he added.
The upgraded Vertex module’s innovation lies in its high efficiency, better reliability and more energy yield. Its revolutionary features include innovative low voltage and high string power leading to reduced BOS (Balance of System) cost, and shorter payback time, also generating a huge amount of energy even in a limited space.
The module is also characterized by its high customer value and reduced labor costs with its lower LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy). Moreover, it has the lowest guaranteed first year and annual degradation and is designed for compatibility with existing mainstream system components.
Trina Solar currently has over 100GW of module shipments worldwide with more than 5.5GW of accumulative grid connections and is also proudly responsible for setting 25 world records for silicon cell efficiency and solar module power output since 2011.
It recently won “Top Performer” for outstanding product reliability and performance among global PV module manufacturers, its eighth in a row since the PVEL test was established. The company has scored 100% in the BNEF Bankability Survey for six consecutive years and rated AAA in the Q2 PV ModuleTech Bankability report by PV-Tech.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Construction work on Africa’s largest oil refinery, Dangote Refinery, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is about 97 per cent complete, energynewsafrica.com can report.
The Dangote Refinery, situated on 6,180 acres (2,500 hectares) of land, is Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train petroleum facility.
Upon completion, the refinery will be able to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day into refined petroleum products and will help Nigeria limit the importation of petroleum products.
Last week, members of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) paid a visit to Aliko Dangote’s multi-billion-dollar refinery and were marveled by the facility.
Speaking on the refinery project, NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed reiterated the importance of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to the country, assuring that the Authority would give all necessary support to ensure the timely completion of the project.
The Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin hinted that the refinery would allow for smooth trans-shipment of refined petroleum products to international markets and ultimately eliminate the over-reliance on fuel import from other regions into Nigeria.
According to him, the refinery would stimulate economic development in Nigeria, adding that it can meet 100 per cent of Nigeria’s requirement of all liquid products (gasoline, diesel, kerosene and aviation jet) and also have a surplus of each of these products for export.
“The high volume of petrol output from the refinery would transform Nigeria from a petrol import-dependent country to an exporter of refined petroleum products,” he stated, adding that the refinery would produce Euro-V quality gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene and poly-propylene for local consumption and also have a surplus of each of the products for export.
Nigeria currently imports most of its refined petroleum due to a lack of domestic refining capacity. With this new facility, Nigeria’s refining capacity will double and help meet the increasing fuel demand while providing cost savings.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Oil output at the giant Exxon-led Sakhalin-1 Russian Pacific project collapsed following the U.S. major’s refusal to accept local insurance for tankers after Western insurers pulled out due to sanctions, several industry sources told Reuters.
Western insurers withdrew cover from tankers operated by state-run Sovcomflot (FLOT.MM), Russia’s biggest shipping group, which was sanctioned following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Exxon has refused to take Sovcomflot’s tankers,” one industry source said. Some cargoes meant for supplies to Indian refiners were also hit as Exxon did not recognise the alternative cover Sovcomflot had arranged from Russian insurers, according to the sources.
Sovcomflot and Exxon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The developments have unfolded as the European Union is due to impose a ban on Russian oil tanker insurance and shows the major impact ship insurance and re-insurance guarantees can have on operations.
Sakhalin-1 project, has blamed Exxon for falling output, saying that since mid-May the project produced hardly any oil.
Exxon’s Russian unit, Exxon Neftegas Ltd, has cited difficulty chartering tankers due to sanctions.
Russian newspaper Kommersant was first to report on Monday that production at Sakhalin-1 collapsed following Exxon’s refusal to work with Sovcomflot.
Oil output at the Sakhalin-1 project fell to just 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) earlier this year from 220,000 bpd before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier this month establishing a new operator for Sakhalin-1 that will be managed by Rosneft subsidiary Sakhalinmorneftegaz-Shelf.
The decision gives the Russian government authority to decide whether foreign shareholders can retain stakes in the project, giving them one month to express interest or else losing their stakes.
Rosneft holds a 20% stake in Sakhalin-1, ONGC Videsh (ONVI.NS), the overseas investment arm of India’s state-run ONGC, has a 20% stake in the project, and Japan’s state-backed oil producer SODECO the remaining 30%.
In August, Exxon said it was in the process of transferring its 30% stake in the oil and gas project “to another party”, without naming it.
Source:Reuters
Ghana’s president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 330 kilovolt Kumasi to Bolgatanga Transmission Line Project, constructed by the power transmission company, GRIDCo.
The project, which is an integral part of the West Africa Power Pool Project, seeks to reinforce the Ghana Transmission System, and ensure the export of at least 100 megawatts of electricity to Burkina Faso, as well as increase the reliability of the Ghana to Burkina Interconnection Project.
To help achieve this objective, GRIDCo also constructed a 330kV Transmission line from the Aboadze Power Generation enclave through Prestea to Kumasi.
The 330 kV Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission Line Project consisted of the construction of approximately 550km of 330kV Transmission Line from Kumasi to Bolgatanga, the construction of 330kV Substations at Kumasi, Kintampo, Tamale and Bolgatanga as well as expansions of the existing 161kV Substations at these locations, and the implementation of Environmental Mitigation Measures and a Resettlement Action Plan for the Project.
The project was financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) at a total cost of US$173.9 million.
Not only has the project succeeded in supplying 150 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso, but it has also increased transmission capacity to meet growing demand in Ashanti, northern Ghana and beyond.
The Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also noted that the projects have also contributed to the reduction of transmission line overloads and associated high transmission losses and improved voltages particularly in Ashanti, Bono and Bono East regions.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and other officials at the commissioning of the 330kv Kumasi-Bolgatanga power transmission project
He stressed that the 330kV transmission lines have also helped to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in the country.
History of WAPP
The West Africa Power Pool projects commenced with the Coastal Transmission Backbone Projects (CTB) which involved the construction of 330kV Aboadze-Volta (Tema)-Momehagou (Togo) Transmission Line and associated substations as well as the upgrade of Power Generation facilities in Ghana.
The projects were jointly implemented by the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and Communauté Electrique du Bénin (CEB) of Togo/Benin and completed in 2014.
The developmental objective of the CTB project was to increase access of WAPP “Zone A” coastal states (Cote-d’ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin & Nigeria) to more stable and reliable electricity to alleviate power supply deficits and to reduce their collective vulnerability to drought-induced power supply disruptions.
The subsequent project was the Interzonal Hub Transmission Project. The development objective of the first phase of the project was to reduce the cost of and improve security of electricity supply to Burkina, while increasing Ghana’s electricity export capacity.
Ugandan President His Excellency Yoweri Museveni is expected to deliver a Presidential keynote address at the second edition of African Energy Week (AEW) 2022 scheduled this week from October 18-21, in Cape Town, South Africa.
He will be addressing African energy policymakers, stakeholders and investors as well as international partners at the 2022 edition of the conference and exhibition – Africa’s premier event for the energy sector.
With global energy transition policies disrupting the flow of investments required to maximize the full development and exploitation of Africa’s vast hydrocarbon resources, the participation of President Museveni at AEW 2022 will be crucial for defending Africa’s rights to maximize the continent’s oil and gas resources.
With over 600 million people across the African continent living in energy poverty and yet much of the continent’s oil and gas resources remain largely untapped, AEW 2022 represents the ideal platform for H.E. President Museveni to highlight the continent’s massive oil and gas potential in making energy poverty history by 2030, while at the same time calling for improved investment into African energy developments to both continental and international energy companies and investors.
In 2022, improved cooperation amongst African governments and energy market players remains of vital significance for the African energy sector, with cross-border collaboration recognized as crucial for boosting upstream, midstream and downstream activities as well as the utilization and monetization of oil and gas resources. In this regard, President Museveni will make a strong case for best practices to enhance partnerships between African national oil and gas companies, independents and regulators in addressing critical industry challenges such as a lack of investment and continued declines in output in legacy projects.
In showcasing Africa’s energy potential for driving long-term and sustainable socioeconomic development and turning the continent into a global energy and economic powerhouse, H.E. President Museveni will make a strong case for partnerships and investment opportunities across Uganda’s entire energy value chain as the East African country eyes to enhance the development, exploitation and monetization of its over 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 0.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas for energy security, job creation and economic growth.
While Uganda represents a relatively new hydrocarbons market, the country’s oil and gas potential is significant, and yet, environmental organizations continue to restrict the country from maximizing its resources. The country’s most notable development, the monumental 1,443km, 216,000 barrel per day East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), continues to be met with disruptions despite the potential this development has for the entire East African region. As such, President Museveni will be making a strong case for the role of the EACOP as well as the various other developments underway across the region.
“The Oil and Gas Industry is privileged to host President Museveni at AEW 2022 as African regulators and energy stakeholders unite to position Africa as a global energy investment destination. With Uganda seeking to create more employment opportunities, ensure economic growth and fight poverty, fast-tracking existing hydrocarbon energy developments and kick starting new exploration campaigns is key to unlocking gross domestic product growth and stability. This President has shown a lot of courage in defending Uganda’s right to produce oil and gas and has been a strong voice for a Just Energy Transition” states NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the AEC.
Under the theme ‘Exploring and Investing in Africa’s Energy Future while Driving an Enabling Environment,’ AEW 2022 is the ideal platform for H.E. President Museveni to provide an update regarding the development of Uganda’s Tilenga oil and gas fields as well as the EACOP while highlighting the importance of oil and gas for Africa’s energy future.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Fuel prices in the Republic of Ghana shot up significantly by Gh¢2 on Sunday, energynewsafrica.com can report.
TotalEnergies, one of the leading oil marketing companies, adjusted its pump price for diesel (gasoil) to Gh¢15.99 per litre while petrol (gasoline) was adjusted to Gh¢13.10 per litre.
During the first pricing window which ended on 15th October 2022, TotalEnergies, Shell and GOIL, which are the market leaders, sold diesel at Gh¢13.99 per litre while petrol was sold at Ghc11.10 per litre.
As of Saturday, Star Oil, one of the big players, also adjusted its prices for both diesel and petrol.
A litre of petrol is sold at Gh¢13.79 while diesel is sold for Gh¢15.79.
Likely, other OMCs like GOIL, Shell, Petrosol, Puma and Engen will also adjust their pump prices by tomorrow, Monday, morning.
It would be recalled that diesel prices went down marginally across the various OMCs, with prices of petrol witnessing a marginal increment.
Although crude oil prices are still below $100 per barrel, the continuous depreciation of the Ghanaian cedis against the major international currencies is largely the reason for the latest hikes in fuel prices.
As of Saturday, a dollar was being exchanged for GHc12.50
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s second largest state power generation company, Bui Power Authority (BPA) has organised a health screening for over 800 children and a sensitisation exercise for parents who have children with special needs in two resettlement communities.
The exercises formed part of the BPA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of giving back to the communities where it operates.
The purpose of the health screening was to identify children who have health challenges such as ‘Down Syndrome’ and offer support to raise them.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features and mild to moderate developmental and intellectual disability
Over the last few years, the BPA, through its corporate social responsibility, has provided several social interventions including the CHPS compound, the provision of ambulances, scholarships, boreholes and livelihood enhancement projects.
However, the current BPA CEO, Hon. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi reviewed the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility to the Project Affected Person’s within the Bui enclave to include children who have special needs.
In this regard, BPA has partnered with Robb Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that specialises in health screening, awareness creation and management of Down Syndrome, to assess the mental state of the children within the Bui Power enclave and propose educational aids for their improvement, provide a report on the exercise and its health impact around the BGS and identify any other child that needs special attention and assistance.
Representing the CEO of BPA at the closing ceremony of the screening programme, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer-in-charge of Engineering, Operations and Technical, Ing Samuel Kow Ansah said the well-being of the project-affected communities especially the children, is of major concern to the Authority, hence the Authority’s partnership with Robb Foundation to screen and sensitise parents on how they can care and raise children with down syndrome.
Ing Samuel Kow Ansah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer-in-charge of Engineering, Operations and Technical (Left) receiving a donation from Mrs. Mavis Opoku for onward distribution to children in the Bui Enclave
“The management of children with down syndrome is not easy. We have seen that you alone cannot do it so when we heard that Robb Foundation can screen children with down syndrome and other special needs, we engaged them to come and organise this exercise,” he told the gathering.
He further mentioned that the Authority is committed to the well-being of the communities within the Bui enclave, hence, management’s decision to review its CSR programme to include children with special needs.
The Director of Robb Foundation, Mrs. Mavis Opoku noted that, after the 10 days of medical outreach, children with worm infections, skin infections, malaria and underweight have received treatment and medications.
She said children identified with Down syndrome will be given the needed attention from her outfit and with support from BPA and other health facilities within the area to give the best care and attention to the special children.
She took the opportunity to also educate parents to take the health needs of their wards seriously by adhering to good personal hygiene and by keeping their communities neat at all times.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a grant of a grant of $2.5 million to the Mozambican government to develop renewable energy resources.
The grant, from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) (https://bit.ly/37jYAtS), administered by the Bank, will be used to implement the Mozambique Renewable Energy Integration Program (MREP).
“With the support of the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, Mozambique’s capacity to integrate larger shares of variable renewables will increase its efforts to become a major regional electricity supplier,” said Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director of the African Development Bank’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department. He added, “Given that Mozambique is one of the most highly climate-vulnerable countries in the world, the project will help build a more sustainable and resilient power generation infrastructure.”
The funding will assist the national electricity company to provide financial support for technical, economic, environmental and social feasibility studies for the development of a solar floating power plant in Chicamba reservoir. In addition, it will support funding for a feasibility study for Energy Battery Systems Storage in up to 10 sites, as well as capacity building for EDM´s personnel; and support for tender preparation.
“We are very excited to launch the activities under the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa in Mozambique, which comes with a set of very strategic and innovative projects, that will contribute to diversify the energy matrix ad fund a study on storage needs, that will enable the development of more renewable energy projects,” said Marcelino Gildo Alberto, Chairman of EDM, the beneficiary.
“The support under SEFA also includes a robust capacity building program, that will enable our personnel to develop strategic skills related to the development and management of renewable energy projects,” he added.
The donation will also be used to conduct studies to increase the share of variable renewable energy production in Mozambique’s energy mix. Feasibility studies to develop floating photovoltaic solar energy will be conducted in existing EDM hydropower assets.
Increasingly affected by severe and sudden cyclones, storms, and prolonged drought periods, Mozambique is endowed with abundant energy from renewable and fossil resources. Over the last decade, the energy sector in Mozambique has made considerable progress: the country is a net exporter of electricity despite low access rates (57% in urban areas and 13% in rural areas). With 187 gigawatts, Mozambique has the most significant power generation potential in southern Africa, thanks to untapped resources in coal, hydroelectricity, gas, wind, and solar energy. Hydropower currently accounts for about 81% of installed capacity. But natural gas and renewable energy sources are set to take a growing share of Mozambique’s energy mix.
The African Development Bank is a key player in the energy sector in Mozambique. It provided more than $400 million in financing for the ongoing $20 billion Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. The Bank supports power generation, transmission and distribution, such as the Tamine Gas Project. It is currently supporting the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric power station project, the rehabilitation of the Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power station and the construction of a transmission line from the north to carry electricity to the South.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo will, on Sunday, 16th October, 2022, officially commission the 330kV Kumasi to Bolgatanga transmission line constructed by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
The project commenced in March 2016 and was completed in 2021 but GRIDCo conducted a test to ensure that all technical issues were resolved before the commissioning.
The project was fully funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), an EU grant for the Supervision Consultant.
In attendance will be the Minister for Energy, Chargé D’affaires, A.I. Raphael Malara, Embassy of France, and Christophe Cottet, Country Director for Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
GRIDCo’s Board, led by its Chairman, Amb Kabral Blay-Amihere, Chief Executive Ing Ebenezer Essienyi, Management, Kumasi Area Manager, Ing Bismark Oppong Anane and some staff of the Kumasi Area will join in the commissioning event together with other distinguished guests.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
If it seems like your energy bills have fell victim to price creep, you’re right. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration suggest that U.S. consumers have seen the largest increase in natural gas and electricity bills in decades.
For starters, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said that nat gas bills in September were 33% higher than last September. While natural gas bills are often confusing and filled with a barrage of surcharges and taxes, such as gas recovery and distribution charges as well as taxes, the rise in electricity bills has been hard for consumers to miss.
The confirmation that residents have indeed seen a significant uptick in energy costs over the last year is likely cold comfort. But residents should grab their winter coats, because those high prices are here to stay.
The EIA is forecasting a colder-than-expected winter this year, meaning there will be more demand for heat, along with higher costs for natural gas and propane.
According to its Winter Fuels Outlook, natural gas bills are expected to be 28% higher this season. Heating oil bills are expected to be 27% higher.
Propane, 5% higher, and electricity bills, 10% higher. And that’s just the EIA’s base case scenario.
Should temperatures be 10% colder than that base-case scenario, the EIA is projecting that U.S. average household expenditures between October and March for natural gas will be 51% higher than last winter, at $1,096. Propane costs under that scenario are seen as 36% higher.
Even in a scenario that results in a 10% warmer than forecast winter, natural gas bills are expected to be 19% higher than they were last winter season.
The estimated costs are largely in line with the price increases seen thus far. September’s natural gas price increases that were 33% higher than last September was actually the eighteenth straight double-digit percentage gain—the longest streak in more than three decades, according to a Bloomberg analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Source: Oilprice.com
The 330 kV Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission Line Project consisted of the construction of approximately 550km of 330kV Transmission Line from Kumasi to Bolgatanga, the construction of 330kV Substations at Kumasi, Kintampo, Tamale and Bolgatanga as well as expansions of the existing 161kV Substations at these locations, and the implementation of Environmental Mitigation Measures and a Resettlement Action Plan for the Project.
The project was financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) at a total cost of US$173.9 million.
Not only has the project succeeded in supplying 150 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso, but it has also increased transmission capacity to meet growing demand in Ashanti, northern Ghana and beyond.
The Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also noted that the projects have also contributed to the reduction of transmission line overloads and associated high transmission losses and improved voltages particularly in Ashanti, Bono and Bono East regions.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and other officials at the commissioning of the 330kv Kumasi-Bolgatanga power transmission project
He stressed that the 330kV transmission lines have also helped to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in the country.
History of WAPP
The West Africa Power Pool projects commenced with the Coastal Transmission Backbone Projects (CTB) which involved the construction of 330kV Aboadze-Volta (Tema)-Momehagou (Togo) Transmission Line and associated substations as well as the upgrade of Power Generation facilities in Ghana.
The projects were jointly implemented by the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and Communauté Electrique du Bénin (CEB) of Togo/Benin and completed in 2014.
The developmental objective of the CTB project was to increase access of WAPP “Zone A” coastal states (Cote-d’ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin & Nigeria) to more stable and reliable electricity to alleviate power supply deficits and to reduce their collective vulnerability to drought-induced power supply disruptions.
The subsequent project was the Interzonal Hub Transmission Project. The development objective of the first phase of the project was to reduce the cost of and improve security of electricity supply to Burkina, while increasing Ghana’s electricity export capacity.
The 330 kV Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission Line Project consisted of the construction of approximately 550km of 330kV Transmission Line from Kumasi to Bolgatanga, the construction of 330kV Substations at Kumasi, Kintampo, Tamale and Bolgatanga as well as expansions of the existing 161kV Substations at these locations, and the implementation of Environmental Mitigation Measures and a Resettlement Action Plan for the Project.
The project was financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) at a total cost of US$173.9 million.
Not only has the project succeeded in supplying 150 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso, but it has also increased transmission capacity to meet growing demand in Ashanti, northern Ghana and beyond.
The Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also noted that the projects have also contributed to the reduction of transmission line overloads and associated high transmission losses and improved voltages particularly in Ashanti, Bono and Bono East regions.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and other officials at the commissioning of the 330kv Kumasi-Bolgatanga power transmission project
He stressed that the 330kV transmission lines have also helped to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in the country.
History of WAPP
The West Africa Power Pool projects commenced with the Coastal Transmission Backbone Projects (CTB) which involved the construction of 330kV Aboadze-Volta (Tema)-Momehagou (Togo) Transmission Line and associated substations as well as the upgrade of Power Generation facilities in Ghana.
The projects were jointly implemented by the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and Communauté Electrique du Bénin (CEB) of Togo/Benin and completed in 2014.
The developmental objective of the CTB project was to increase access of WAPP “Zone A” coastal states (Cote-d’ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin & Nigeria) to more stable and reliable electricity to alleviate power supply deficits and to reduce their collective vulnerability to drought-induced power supply disruptions.
The subsequent project was the Interzonal Hub Transmission Project. The development objective of the first phase of the project was to reduce the cost of and improve security of electricity supply to Burkina, while increasing Ghana’s electricity export capacity.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com